Showing posts with label interview. Show all posts
Showing posts with label interview. Show all posts

Friday, February 9, 2024

Blog Tour, Author Interview & Giveaway: Renewed Hope by Carmen Peone

Renewed Hope JustRead Blog Tour

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Renewed Hope by Carmen Peone, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Renewed Hope

Title: Renewed Hope
Series:
Seven Tine Ranch Romance #3
Author:
Carmen Peone
Publisher:
Iron Stream Fiction
Release Date:
February 6, 2024
Genre: Contemporary Western Romance

Can they find her son in time? 

Sophie Cayes is on the road to success as an artist. Until her ex-husband threatens to sue for full custody of their son. Upon learning of a guest ranch in Eastern Washington that keeps a room open for women in need, she grabs her son and bolts. Although Chad Davis loves starting colts on the Seven Tine Guest Ranch, his goal is to have his own spread. Everything’s on course until a woman and her preschool son show up. He’s not thrilled about helping out. Until the boy comes up missing. On his watch. Along with a tribal cop, they head back to Montana in search of the boy, knowing his dad was the one who kidnapped him. Sophie prays they find him before her ex-husband and his new wife go on the run. Taking her son with them. 

 

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | ChristianBook | Bookshop | BookBub

More Books In This Series

Captured Secrets   

 

Author Interview with Carmen Peone


Thank you for hosting me today. It’s an honor to be featured on your blog!

Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I’m a country girl at heart. Though raised in the valley of Spokane, WA, now Spokane Valley, WA, I dreamed about living in the country on a ranch and raising and riding horses in the mountains. That all came true when I met my husband in college and we moved northwest of the city and on his Indian Reservation.

I now own horses (we’re down to two) and enjoy trail rides and horse camping. What I liked most was competing in Extreme Cowboy races. That was a hoot. Especially when they were not in an arena, but in natural environments.


What do you do besides writing?

I read a lot of fiction and non-fiction, bead Native American-style jewelry, sew, paddle board, and enjoy photographing nature and animals. I also spend as much time as I can with my grandchildren. They are the joy in my life. Before the service begins at my church, I play worship music on the piano and enjoy playing the Native American flute at home.


What was your favorite part of researching for this book?

My favorite parts of researching Renewed Hope were my four trips to the Polson, MT, area. I traveled there three times with my husband and one time with two lady friends. I’m not sure what is more spectacular, Flathead Lake, Mission Mountains, or Hungry Horse Dam and Recreational Area. You can click on my website and follow my blog series this month. One segment is about the setting, plus I share photos of the above places and more.


Do you have images you can share that come close to how you picture your characters? Do you like to find visual inspiration for your characters before or during your writing process?

In my month-long, weekly Renewed Hope book release blog series, I begin with Sophie Cayes on 2.6.24 and end with Chad Davis on 2.27.24. You can sign up for my blog to see all of the Renewed Hope Book Release posts. (After the book release series, I’ll continue with my monthly Women Honoring the West series.)

I do like to find the visual character inspiration images before I write so I don’t have to go back and fill in blank spots. The images help bring the characters to life and add fun and another element of creativity to the story. 

 
What are some songs that you listened to or inspired you while writing your book?

I always listen to Native Flute music because it’s soothing and there are no words to distract me. My favorite is Native American Sleep Music. There’s something special about the canyon sounds. Listen to the Music.


What message would you like readers to ultimately take away from the book?

I want readers to know more about domestic violence and abuse. I want victims to know they are not alone and that there is help and hope. I have a resource page on my website to learn more and find out how to get help. Get Carmen’s Resources.


What can we look forward to coming from you in the future?

I’m working on a series that features rodeo queens and rodeo cowboys. I’m having a ton of fun with these three books and need the break from the heaviness of the Seven Tine Ranch Romance series.

In the Rodeo Queen series, there are second chances, enemies to lovers (or love, as these are Christian novels), and friends to lovers.

You can follow along by signing up for my newsletter. When you do, you’ll receive my novella, Gentling the Cowboy, as a thank-you gift. Sign up here.

 

About the Author

Carmen Peone

Carmen Peone is an award-winning author of Young Adult and Contemporary Western Romantic Suspense and lives with her husband in Northeast Washington and on the Colville Confederated Indian Reservation. She weaves threads of healing, hope, and horses into her stories that lead to happily ever after.

Connect with Carmen by visiting carmenpeone.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates. 
 

Tour Giveaway

(3) winners will win a signed copy of Renewed Hope, a $25 Amazon gift card, and a story-related postcard!

Renewed Hope JustRead Tours giveaway

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight February 5, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on February 12, 2024. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway


Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

JustRead Publicity Tours




Thursday, September 28, 2023

Blog Tour, Author Interview & Giveaway: Hunted at Christmas by Dana R. Lynn

Hunted at Christmas JustRead Blog + Review Tour

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Hunted at Christmas by Dana R. Lynn, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Hunted at Christmas

Title: Hunted at Christmas
Series:
Amish Country Justice
Author:
Dana R. Lynn
Publisher:
Love Inspired Suspense
Release Date:
September 26, 2023
Genre:
Christian Romantic Suspense

Wanted by a bounty hunter. 

 Chased by a killer. 

When single mother Addison Johnson is attacked by a hit man, she learns there’s a price on her head. And Isaiah Bender—the bounty hunter hired to track her down for crimes she didn’t commit—is her only hope for survival. Protecting Addison and her young son from armed assailants means seeking refuge in Amish country. But when their holiday hideout is discovered, can he clear an innocent woman’s name and keep her alive?  

From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | ChristianBook | Bookshop | BookBub


Interview with Author Dana R. Lynn



Can you tell us a little about yourself? 
 
Sure! I grew up near Chicago, but moved to rural Pennsylvania after I met my husband at my bet friend’s wedding. He was the best man and I was the maid of honor. We’ve been married for almost 26 years and have 3 children, one daughter and two sons. Our daughter just got married, so I am still reeling from this change. However, we feel so blessed to have our son-in-law joining our family. I love writing stories that contain romance and also allow me to share my love of Jesus. I consider my writing a ministry. It’s been such a blessing in my life.


What do you do besides writing? 
 
I am a full time teacher of the deaf and hard of hearing. I love my job and find it very rewarding. I am also active in my church.


What was your favorite part of researching for this book?
 
 
I loved researching bounty hunters. I found out that nearly everything I thought about that job choice was wrong, or at least only a partial truth. I also found it interesting that bounty hunters aren’t legal in all states.


Do you have images you can share that come close to how you picture your characters? Do you like to find visual inspiration for your characters before or during your writing process? 
 
In my mind, my heroine, Addison, resembles a young Emmy Rossum. Think of the movie version of The Phantom of the Opera (2004). I pictured a young Simon Baker as Isaiah. When I begin to think of characters, I search Pinterest to find images of people who best fit my mental image of the character. This helps me when I need to explain how the character looks to the marketing department. I will put an image on my character board so that as I write I can look to it. You’d be amazed how easy it is to forget a character’s eye color once you have several books of characters on your board. This way, instead of remembering, I can look at the image.


What are some songs that you listened to or inspired you while writing your book? 
 
Music is so powerful to me. Some of my favorites for writing included “You Raise Me Up” by Josh Groban, “Remember Your Chains” by Steven Curtis Chapman, “One Small Child” by David Meece and “Breath of Heaven” by Amy Grant. Actually, Christmas music in general was a great muse!


What message would you like readers to ultimately take away from the book? 
 
Out of all the books I’ve published to date, Hunted at Christmas is my favorite. And it’s all because of my hero. Isaiah Bender is somewhat of a prodigal son. He doesn’t realize it, but he is on his journey home. I really felt the theme of reconciliation and forgiveness while writing this book.


What can we look forward to coming from you in the future? 
 
In May, the last Bender sibling will finally get his story! I have had so many readers ask me when Gideon will get his story, so I’m pleased to say Amish Witness to Murder will be out in 2024. Later in 2024, forensic artist Francesca Brown and FBI Special Agent Tanner Hall will work together and find love in Protecting the Amish Child. While I have a few other things in the works, these are the projects with finalized dates. I can’t wait to share these stories with readers!

 

More in This Series

 Deadly Amish Reunion Amish Country Threats Amish Christmas Escape Amish Cradle Conspiracy Hidden Amish Target

more Amish Country Justice series titles


About the Author

Dana R. Lynn

Dana R. Lynn is an award winning author of romantic suspense and Amish romance who believes in the power of God to touch people through stories. Although she grew up in Illinois, she met her husband at a wedding in Pennsylvania and told her parents she had met her future husband. Nineteen months later, they were married. Today, they live in rural Pennsylvania and are entering the world of empty nesters. She is a teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing by day and writes stories of romance and danger at night. She is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray with the Steve Laube Agency. Dana is an avid reader, loves cats and thinks chocolate should be a food group.

Connect with Dana by visiting danarlynn.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.


Tour Giveaway

(3) winners will win a $10 Amazon gift card, a pen and a mug!

Hunted at Christmas JustRead Tours giveaway

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight September 27, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on October 4, 2023. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only for pen & mug. Egift card only in case of CAN winner. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway


Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

JustRead Publicity Tours

 


Sunday, September 24, 2023

Review and Author Interview: The Beacon Street Bookshop by Carla Laureano



My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it



Synopsis

Ever since Olivia Quinn lost her husband to a freak plane crash, she’s been focused on one thing—making a stable life for her teen stepdaughter, Taylor, of whom she’s the sole guardian. But when she loses her job as a children’s book editor because she refuses to relocate from Colorado to New York, all her hard-won stability is shattered. Then the opportunity arises to open Liv’s dream bookshop in Haven Ridge, offering not only the solution to her financial problems, but a chance to bond with her stepdaughter and become a real family for the first time. Soon, the wild idea transforms into a thriving nonprofit, thanks to the generosity and enthusiasm of the town—and a handsome contractor who stirs feelings in Liv she'd thought might be gone forever. But just as she begins to lean into the new life she’s made for herself, a figure from her late husband’s past puts the life she’s been building with Taylor in jeopardy. And Liv must face the possibility that following her heart might just cost her a daughter.

My Review

I absolutely love the themes of restoration and revitalization in Haven Ridge! The small Colorado town has been "cursed" since a scandal rocked the community and it was handled badly. Families moved away, businesses and stores emptied. But with a new zeal for hope mixed with some faith and goodwill, the younger generation is slowly returning- breathing new life and enterprise into the town that is forgettable to many, but not to those with important memories there. 
 
Liv and her teenage stepdaughter Taylor have a complicated relationship, and their growth throughout the book was inspiring as they communicate more and create lasting bonds. Their healing dynamic is challenged with changes they are facing as new people come into their lives, but the bookshop is their shared endeavor and creates opportunities for them to be consistent and present with each other, despite the personal and emotional struggles. Liv and Charlie have great chemistry and I enjoyed their special moments together as their romance developed. I can't wait to read the next book in the series!

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Don't miss the previous books in the Haven Ridge series . . .


* The e-book of The Brick House Cafe is free to subscribers at carlalaureano.com
 
 
About the Author

Carla Laureano is the two-time RITA® award-winning author of sixteen books, spanning the genres of contemporary romance and Celtic fantasy. A graduate of Pepperdine University, she worked in sales and marketing for more than a decade before leaving corporate life behind to write full-time. In 2022, she founded Sophisticated Fiction to provide editorial, critique, and coaching services to authors of all levels. She currently lives in Denver, Colorado with her husband, two sons, and an opinionated tortoiseshell cat named Willow.






Q & A with Carla Laureano

What is the Haven Ridge series about?

The Haven Ridge series is a small-town romance series with a magical realism twist: the town has gotten away from its founding mission to provide a haven for people who needed a fresh start and a community, and as such, it’s slowly dwindling away. The prequel novella, The Brick House Cafe, goes into the history of the town and its goal to rebuild itself by drawing back the people it needs and who in turn need it. Each full length shows how the town draws people together and how the people in it contribute to the new life of the town!


What is The Beacon Street Bookshop about?

I introduced Liv Quinn in The Broken Hearts Bakery as the catalyst that got Gemma back to Haven Ridge, and we got a little window into her struggles of being a young window and guardian of a teenage stepdaughter. We also saw she was facing a pretty big work decision—stay in Haven Ridge or move back to New York in order to keep her job. It probably surprises no one that she decided to stay in Haven Ridge, but this story is about how she deals with all the change in her life—not the least being how to incorporate romance back into it while raising her late husband’s daughter.

I love this story because it’s angsty and heartfelt, but it’s still got some delicious new-love tingles throughout. This is definitely the most romantic book of the series so far.


The Beacon Street Bookshop has some serious themes. Why did you choose to write about them in this book?

I’m in a similar phase in life to Liv—I have two teenage boys, a recent high school graduate who is continuing his education and starting his career, and one who is just entering the high school years. There are lots of feelings attached to this phase of parenting, not the least of which is figuring out where to draw the line between letting them have their independence and still remaining a strong influence in their lives. I channeled some of that uncertainty into Liv, made more difficult by the fact that she hadn’t raised Taylor since birth and has a bit of a complex about being the stepmom.


What was the easiest scene in The Beacon Street Bookshop to write?

I’ve had the meet cute between Liv and Charlie in my head since the beginning of the series, so I couldn’t wait to get it down on paper. “Love” at first sight is super fun to write, especially when the parties involved are completely determined not to acknowledge it.


What was the hardest scene in The Beacon Street Bookshop to write?


Believe it or not, the final chapter before the epilogue! And I don’t think it was all that successful initially, because my beta readers said it fell a little flat. So I had to rewrite that last chapter and the epilogue several times until I felt like I’d given readers (and the characters) enough closure to end the book. But I love the way it turned out in the end. Liv and Charlie’s happy ending feels really satisfying now.


What is your favorite scene involving Liv and Charlie?

There’s a particular scene where Liv is served up a gut punch and her first instinct is to ask Charlie to stay with her. Until then she’d been sort of resisting what he meant to her, but he’s the one that she wants for support when the chips are down.


Which character was the hardest to write?

Probably Taylor. She’s very mercurial, so I was constantly walking the line between her being sympathetic and irritating (like a real teenager, at times). I’m not going to say that I drew from some of the more difficult moments of my parenting journey, but let’s just say that I sympathize with Liv over Taylor’s bouts of snottiness.


Which character was the easiest to write?

Liv felt very natural to write, which is a surprise because she’s less like me than some of the other characters in the series. But I’ve always liked her combination of determination and self-doubt, which is something I think we can all relate to.


What would readers never guess about the writing of the book?


This is a much-abbreviated version of the first draft! I always find the second full-length books in a series a bit difficult to write because I have to incorporate everything that’s happened before as well as set up the books to come… and that was reflected in the fact that the book was about fifty pages too long! It took a very painful process of cutting and rearranging to get this into its final format. (Aspiring authors who aren’t happy with their first drafts take heart!)


Where did you get the idea for this book?

I knew that I was going to get Liv together with a down-on-his-luck contractor who was the polar opposite from her late husband as soon as I conceived of the empty accessory unit above her garage and the work-in-progress kitchen…long before the other books were written! But as I started to develop the Haven Ridge series, I decided to lean into all the businesses and features about small town life that gave me warm fuzzies. And small independent bookstores are one of the things I love best (along with bakeries) so it was natural to make Liv part of the book world and have her open a bookshop.


What kind of research did you do to write this series?

The majority of my research involved the setting: Haven Ridge is set rather vaguely in a real area of southern Colorado, between Salida and Buena Vista. It has a colorful and interesting history, so coming up with a founding story that was plausible (as detailed in the prequel novella, The Brick House Cafe) and fit with the actual history of the area was my first priority. From there, it was getting the architectural and topographical details right. Fortunately, my experience in publishing made writing Liv pretty easy, but I did have to email the very kind and helpful people at the Chaffee County Building Department about how contractor licenses worked in the area.


Most of your books are set in Colorado. Is Haven Ridge based on a real place, or is it made up?

Haven Ridge is completely made up, but it’s heavily based on Salida, Colorado, which is in the same area. Given the fact that they were founded about the same time and sit in the same general area, it made sense to model the architecture and hot springs on the real place.


What can we expect next from you?

I’m planning for the Haven Ridge series to run for at least four books, not including the prequel, so you can expect two more after this one! I’m hoping to finish up the series with a Christmas novel, which will be the first one I’ve ever written.


What can you tell us about the next book in the Haven Ridge series?

The next book in the series is The Larkspur House. It will be the story of Will Parker, who we got to meet briefly in The Beacon Street Bookshop, his sister, Erin, and a brand-new heroine that we haven’t yet met! Plus lots of historic-mansion vibes and a century-old mystery. I think readers who enjoyed Provenance are going to like this one!

Thursday, June 29, 2023

Blog Tour, Author Interview & Giveaway: Falling for the Cowboy Doc by Cari Lynn Webb

Falling for the Cowboy Doc JustRead Blog + Review Tour

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Falling for the Cowboy Doc by Cari Lynn Webb, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Falling for the Cowboy Doc

Title: Falling for the Cowboy Doc
Series:
Three Springs, Texas #4
Author:
Cari Lynn Webb
Publisher:
Harlequin Heartwarming
Release Date:
June 27, 2023
Genre: Contemporary Romance (Clean)

Can the rodeo cowgirl…  

Win his love? 

Professional roper Maggie Orr needs to secure a national sponsorship. And orthopedic surgeon Grant Sloan could derail her plans. Falling for the cowboy doctor is a distraction she can’t afford… Plus their careers are taking them in opposite directions. But from picnics to stargazing, Grant is reminding Maggie that there’s more to life than winning in the arena. Can they rewrite their dreams to include each other?

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub

 

More Books in this Series

The Texas Seal's Surprise  Trusting the Rancher with Christmas  Her Cowboy Wedding Date  His Christmas Cowgirl


Interview with Author Cari Lynn Webb

 
Can you tell us a little about yourself? 
 
My name is Cari Lynn Webb. I write sweet contemporary romance for Harlequin Heartwarming, ARC Manor, as well as publish independently. I currently live in South Carolina. I moved a lot as a child and now with my own family as well, so I’ve been fortunate to live in quite a few wonderful places. Every where we’ve lived has given me ideas for my stories and my writing and I’m grateful for that.

What do you do besides writing? 
 
I really enjoy cooking and baking. If I’m not writing, I’m often reading food blogs and magazines or watching cooking TV shows. I’m always on the lookout for new recipes to try. I also love to read and travel and spend time with my family.

What was your favorite part of researching for this book? 
 
In Falling for the Cowboy Doc, my heroine, Maggie Sloan and her sister are professional team ropers. I watched a lot of team roping events – the riders are all so talented and their connections with their horses are amazing. I really enjoy learning about the equestrian world – the people, the horses, and their passion for what they do is inspiring.
 
Do you like to find visual inspiration for your characters before or during your writing process? 
 
I need to have an idea of what my characters look like before I start writing the book. Most of my characters are loosely based off an actor, actress, or even a professional athlete. Most often I find an image online – one particular photograph – that gives me a direction for my character. And then as I write and get to know that particular character, the details get refined.

What are some songs that you listened to or inspired you while writing your book? 
 
I listen to both country music and classical music when I’m writing. I have different playlists, depending on the scenes I’m writing. I have a country playlist of all sad, heartbreak songs that I listen to when I’m working on more emotional scenes. Then I have an upbeat country playlist for the lighter scenes. I listen to classical music when I really need to concentrate because sometimes I get distracted and start singing instead of writing. I would say country music and the storytelling within country songs is what I really connect to the most.

What message would you like readers to ultimately take away from the book? 
 
Falling for the Cowboy Doc is a clean romance about love and family. I like to write about heroes and heroines who aren’t looking for love – in fact, their life plans don’t often include love. However, love finds them and that’s when their lives get interesting. And when you toss in family, it makes things even more fun.

What can we look forward to coming from you in the future? 
 
His Christmas Cowgirl, the next book in my Three Springs, Texas series will be releasing this November. Here is the blurb for His Christmas Cowgirl - Cowgirl Vivian Bryant needs a winning horse to fulfill her rodeo champion dream, and equestrian trainer Josh Sloan agrees to help. But when Vivian fibs to her family that Josh is her boyfriend, their pretend relationship slowly evolves–while planning a Three Springs, Texas, gala together. She’s competing for a trophy that will secure their separate futures, but the real prize just might be finding love…at Christmas.


About the Author

Cari Lynn Webb

Cari Lynn Webb lives in South Carolina with her husband, daughters and assorted four-legged family members. She’s been blessed to see the power of true love in her grandparent’s 70 year marriage and her parent’s marriage of over 50 years. She knows love isn’t always sweet and perfect, it can be challenging, complicated and risky. But she believes happily-ever-afters are worth fighting for. She loves to connect with readers.

Connect with Cari by visiting carilynnwebb.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $45 Amazon gift card, signed print copies of the first two books in the Three Springs, Texas series (The Texas Seal's Surprise and Trusting the Rancher with Christmas) and summer candy!

Falling for the Cowboy Doc JustRead Tours giveaway

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight June 28, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on July 5, 2023. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway


Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

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Thursday, November 17, 2022

Blog Tour, Author Interview & Giveaway: Reclaiming Hope in Wishing Bridge by Ruth Logan Herne

Reclaiming Hope JustRead Blog Tour 

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Reclaiming Hope in Wishing Bridge by Ruth Logan Herne, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

 
Reclaiming Hope in Wishing Bridge Title: Reclaiming Hope in Wishing Bridge 
Series: Wishing Bridge #5 
Author: Ruth Logan Herne 
Publisher: Independently Published 
Release Date: October 22, 2022 
Genre: Women's Fiction with romantic elements (clean) 

She swore she'd never come back to Wishing Bridge. 

She needed nothing. No family. No links to a past that broke her heart. Heather Johnstone was successful in her own right, by her own actions. She'd built a pristine life and gave no one the right or opportunity to disrupt it, but then her father called... the one person who'd loved her. Who'd cared. 

And there was no other choice, it seemed. 

She'd go back and face a past that was now tragically changed and fairly unimportant, but that's the thing about growing up. You don't always know what's important until it's too late. 

Hank Reynolds had spent over a decade trying to inspire change. Change in a shrinking town adjacent to Wishing Bridge, and a school district that serviced several towns. Hank took his teaching and coaching seriously. Seriously enough to help no small number of kids find their way to success, but when a tragic flood takes a major toll on the little town of Hopewell, the aftermath stuns the surrounding communities with the loss of life and livelihood. Who can help? Who can help them re-establish the good old days in a place that had lost their grip on good a long time ago? 

Hank knows what the school needs the minute he sees Heather. Northeast Wyoming Central needs an administrator that puts kids first, all the time. Not just when it looks good for a photo op. And when his phone calls bring back more of their high school football teammates, Hank knows something else is happening... Coming back to Wishing Bridge isn't just good for the town and the schools... It's good for the prodigals. 

Because whoever said you can't go home again was wrong and Hank Reynolds intends to prove it, but when Heather's life takes a sudden turn, he realizes something else: sacrificial love means putting others first. Even if it's the person you love more than anyone else on the planet. 

Grab a cup of coffee, a Coke or a spot of tea and join the folks of Wishing Bridge, NY as they gather folks in to help, to love, to fix, to nurture... Welcome back to Wishing Bridge... where prayers and wishes mingle to make dreams come true.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon

 

INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR RUTH LOGAN HERNE


Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I am absolutely living my dream of being a mom and grandmother, writing great stories as a USA Today bestselling author and running a pumpkin farm with my husband and several members of my delightful family. Our lives are hectic, busy and mostly fun, but the reward is seeing readers laugh, cry and sigh over my books and having crowds of happy fall shoppers fill our yard with smiles, wagons filled with pumpkins and happy children!


What do you do besides writing?

So many things! We are blessed to live in a historic farmhouse (always in need of fixing!) with 50 acres that we turned into a retirement dream of a pumpkin farm that is riotously fun!


What was your favorite part of researching for this book?

I love that the Wishing Bridge series, originally contracted with Waterfall Books (Amazon) have taken on a life of their own. Readers love them, share them, talk about them, so when we talk about research for a Wishing Bridge book, it depends on what we’re looking at. The pastoral setting and the great, embracing town is wonderful but the emotions of the humans involved, their paths, their pasts are often hard… and gripping. Writing the guts of the story, the emotions that draw the readers in and leave them remembering the story long after the last page is turned, is my favorite part because I love connecting with readers on that level. Uplifting and empowering women to overcome and be strong is always my end game.


Do you have images you can share that come close to how you picture your characters? Do you like to find visual inspiration for your characters before or during your writing process?

What a great question but gosh… I don’t do any of that… I envision the characters based on certain physical characteristics but that’s not how I see them. I see them through the lens of their journey, their lives, their mistakes. Hard to picture that accurately because photos are two-dimensional and great characters just go deeper. 

(I love that response Ruthie! I feel like that's the way I experience characters in my mind as well but never knew how to describe it like you just did!)
 

What are some songs that you listened to or inspired you while writing your book?

Strike #2!!!! When I’m writing Christmas novels or novellas out of season I use things like Breath of Heaven (Amy Grant) and “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” (Casting Crowns) to keep my brain in sync with the story, but not for Wishing Bridge. 


What message would you like readers to ultimately take away from the book?

I want readers to see and feel the grace and beauty of God’s timing… and to embrace the opportunities that God sends their way, even if they come disguised. He’s there. He’s got this… we just can’t always see around the bends in the road.


What can we look forward to coming from you in the future?

Great question! I have two brand new Guideposts mysteries that have just been released. “Love’s a Mystery in Sleepy Hollow, NY” and “Love’s a Mystery in Cut and Shoot, Texas”, two wonderful 2-in-1s where I wrote the contemporary stories and Gabe Meyer and Janice Thompson wrote the historical segments…. We had such a fun time working together!

And for 2023 there will be a new mystery series “Whistle Stop Café Mysteries” coming from Guideposts Fiction, “The Lawman’s Second Chance” coming in January, “Kindling Christmas in Wishing Bridge” scheduled for fall of 2023! I am so blessed to be working regularly… God has truly blessed me!


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ruth Logan Herne

Multi-published, award-winning and bestselling inspirational author Ruth Logan Herne has worked with multiple publishers and has published over seventy novels and novellas: Basically, Ruthy is living her dream of being a published author and having a great deal of fun doing it! With words to warm the heart and ease the soul, Ruthy takes her readers on the journeys of some unforgettable characters and situations, but in the spirit of being a true Pollyanna at heart, she loves a happy ending! She has a heart for women as overcomers and that spirit of faith and strength shines through every one of her stories. A mother of six with a seventh "daughter of her heart", Ruthy has fourteen grandkids, runs a busy big pumpkin farm with her husband Farmer Dave, and has an absolute love for God, Jesus, her family, country, dogs, chocolate and coffee....

Connect with Ruth by visiting ruthloganherne.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.


 

TOUR GIVEAWAY

 

(1) winner will receive a lovely book bundle from Ruthy including several books, chocolate, and a $20 Amazon Gift Card... cozy just got a little bit better.

Reclaiming Hope in Wishing Bridge JustRead Giveaway

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight November 14, 2022 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on November 21, 2022. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE


Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

JustRead Publicity Tours